ARTICLES ABOUT STORM BY DATE - PAGE 3

Storms with 40 to 50 mph wind gusts along I-4 from Orlando down to Disney are rolling through the region, the National Weather Service in Melbourne. Drivers are urged to use extreme caution in their commutes home from work. The storm system should clear before 11 p.m. Tonight will be mostly cloudy with a low near 75 degrees. Winds will get up to 10 mph at times this evening. Friday: A high near 92 degrees with a 50 percent chance of afternoon storms. Saturday: A high near 93 degrees with a 40 percent chance of storms.

The Orlando Predators have not won a division title in the Arena Football League since 2006. That streak could be snapped in three weeks when the indoor league's regular season ends. Or not. Either way, heading into Monday night's game against the Iowa Barnstormers at UCF's CFE Arena, the Preds (8-7) are in decent shape to reach the postseason. They are tied with the Tampa Bay Storm (8-7) atop the South Division but hold the tiebreaker after winning the season series 2-1. The Jacksonville Sharks (6-9)

Tropical Storm Arthur should become a hurricane by Wednesday night or Thursday, but it will be far away from Florida when it does. "It's moving northward fairly quickly headed up toward the Carolinas," said Matt Bragaw, meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Melbourne. The first named tropical storm of the year had little impact on Central Florida other than some rain and a few wind gusts, forecasters said. Now the Carolina coasts are bracing for the storm. Several areas along the coast are under hurricane warning.

Storms are popping up across Central Florida this afternoon. North winds of 5 to 10 miles per hours are expected throughout the day with occasional gusts up to 20 miles per hour. Tonight, temperatures should drop to 76 degrees and there is a 20 percent chance of showers before midnight. hcurtis@tribune.com or 407-420-5257

A strong storm system moved through Central Florida late Friday afternoon, knocking out power to thousands of people in the downtown area. The National Weather Service in Melbourne issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Orange County. It is in effect until 7 p.m. A significant weather advisory was also issued for Lake, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia counties calling for strong wind gusts between 45 and 55 mph with the possibility of small hail. Orange County Fire Rescue reported a lightning strike at a house on San Diego Woods Lane, which is in the area of SR-417 and South Orange Avenue.

What : Arena Football League game When : 7:30 Saturday night Where : Tampa Bay Times Forum (401 Channelside Dr., Tampa) TV : Bright House Sports Network, Ch. 47 Records : Predators 8-5, Storm 7-6 The Buzz : Orlando, which has beaten Tampa Bay in both of the teams' previous meetings this year, leads its state rival by one game in the South Division of the AFL. . . . The Preds have won their past two games, while...

There's a slight chance of afternoon showers in today's Central Florida forecast. The National Weather Service in Melbourne is calling for mostly sunny skies and a 20 percent chance of storms this afternoon. The high will be near 89 degrees. Tonight, a few clouds will roll into the area as temperatures fall near 71 degrees. Winds could get up to 15 mph, but will slow after midnight. Wednesday: Cloudy skies and a high near 91 degrees with a 40 percent chance of afternoon storms.

Meteorologists with the National Weather Service in Melbourne are tracking dangerous storms moving across parts of Central Florida this afternoon. A significant weather advisory is in effect for strong wind gusts between 45 and 55 mph and small hail over Orange and Osceola counties right now.. Radar is showing storms capable of producing strong winds and small hail from Union Park to Buena Ventura lakes, moving southwest at 15 mph. Locations in the path of the storm which may experience strong winds and small hail include greater Orlando, St. Cloud, Kissimmee.